Note: We apologize for past reference of this event as "students battle bots." Battlebots is a trademark registered name of BattleBots, Inc. Our use of the name was inadvertent.

CAPE CORAL, FL -- High school students from all over the state of Florida came together to compete in the VEX Robotics World Championship Qualifier at Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Saturday.

28 teams battled it out to qualify for the VEX Robotics World Championship.

The top two teams will be announced this week and will travel to the championship in Annaheim, California in April.

Local teams that participated:

The Marinerds2 of Mariner High SchoolThe Spartans of Edison Collegiate High SchoolThe Tarpon Robotics of Charlotte High SchoolThe GreenWave of Fort Myers High SchoolThe Estero Wired Cats of Estero High School

Every Spring, at the start of the season, each team receives a kit of parts. They must use those parts to build a robot to complete a given task.

Few outside or extra parts are allowed to ensure a level playing field for all teams.

The object of this year's task, "Sack Attack", was for each robot to be designed to be able to pick up a certain number of sacks and place them on colored floor goals of the opposing team.

The VEX Robotics Competition ties in perfectly with the curriculum of S.T.E.M (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) geared schools such as Mariner High School.

Adam Nowicki, Mariner High School's Tech Coach, says the competition is a great way for kids to be creative and technical but at the same time learn the value of teamwork.

"The VEX Robotics Competition is a student-centered activity that is mentor-supported and fully about giving students a unique and stimulating experience," Nowicki said.

"Students who participate in these competitions learn the value of teamwork, as well as respect for everyone's ideas and contributions to the team. Students are able to work hand-in-hand with technical professionals to develop solutions to the annual challenge, allowing them to do a majority of the work themselves, but with a mentor available for guidance, suggestions and to keep them on task and successful."

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